Improvement in trace-hooks



W. G. REEVES.

TRACE-HOOK. No.176,35Z. Patented AprillB, 1876.

lllllllillllll ILPETERS, PHOTD UTHOGRAPHERL WASHINGTON. D O.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIS G. REEVES, OF BARTLETT, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRACE-HOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 176,352, dated April18, 1875; application filed October 15, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIS G. REEvEs, ofBartlett, in the county of Shelby and Stateof Tennessee, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Hooks and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to trace-hooks, and consists of a hook with apeculiar-shaped nose or hook end, constructed with and used inconnection with a retaining link or loop thereon, as and for thepurposes hereinafter set forth and shown.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my hook, as in use;Fig. 2, a view of same, when not in use, with the retaining link or ringlying down out of use, and the trace shown in dotted lines in theposition or manner of applying it to the hook.

A is the end of a single or double tree, with the ordinary and B. O ismy trace-hook, secured thereto by a loop, U. The end or crook of thishook is formed, as shown, with a straight portion, D, and a rearwardcurved end, E. The end or nose F of the hook is turned down, with aninward curved or hooked under part, f, and a straight or curved part, Atthe top of this nose f is formed a projection or stop, F. G is a ring orloop applied or secured to the lower or straight portion D. The heightor distance of the crook or bend E from the points my is just sufficientto allow the loop G to reach the projection F. The distance from theinside of the part f to the inside edge of the curve E, and from thelower edge of the partfto the top of the portion D, is made justsulficient to admit of the ordinary trace, either chain or otherwise, tobe applied, but not allow an easy rear escapement of the trace pastthese parts after it is hooked.

The manner of using this hook is as follows: It being in the positionshown in Fig. 2, with the ring G hanging down, the trace is firstcarried back under the ring G, then forward through it and up over thehook E. When thus applied the trace isin the position shown in Fig. 1,with the loop G resting upon it and preventing it from slipping out, asis apparent. The limit of the rearward movement of the retaining-loopbeing at the stop F, the trace cannot pass the ring.

The details of construction of this hook may be varied somewhatwithout'departing from the spirit of my invention.

I am aware that a retaining ring or loop, operating against a shoulderat the end of a whiffletree to retain the trace in place, has beforebeen used. This, therefore, I do not claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The trace hook (J, constructed withstraight portion D, curved hook-end E F, with shoulder F and traceretaining ring or loop G, as and for the purposes described.

2. In a trace hook or lock, constructed as described, with hook end Eand trace-retaining ring or loop G, the end or nose F, constructed witha shoulder, F, a straight or curved face, g, and hooked or projectingend f, whereby to prevent the accidental release of the trace-loop, pastthe end of the hook, as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIS G. REEVES. Witnesses:

W. B. WILLIAMSON, D- H. MCGOWAN.

